Top 10 Reasons Why the United States
Needs to Reduce Dependence on Oil

1. The U.S. is facing a perfect storm of rising fuel costs, escalating dependence on foreign oil, and increasing greenhouse gases and other air pollution.
2. Oil is a finite resource.
3. The U.S. holds only about 2% of the world’s oil reserves, yet accounts for 25% of world consumption.
4. The U.S. must import more than 60% of our oil.
5. Dependence on foreign oil is a national security issue because we are dependent for oil on unstable countries and/or countries hostile to the United States.
6. Two-thirds of all U.S. oil use is consumed by cars, trucks and buses; meaning reduction in oil must concentrate on the transportation sector.
7. There is a growing concensus that climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gases demand dramatic action.
8. Oil use is a major contributor to greenhouse gases; for example, it accounts for about 40% of all U.S. CO2 emissions.
9. The cost of oil, and thus gasoline, has risen dramatically in recent years, directly affecting the price of gasoline for motorists and businesses.
10. Increasing global demand for oil— especially by China and India— means long term rising costs are likely.